The man in black smiled slightly. “That kind of gene optimization serum is extremely powerful. Your body almost couldn’t withstand the immense shock and you nearly died. Fortunately, you fell into the water and shut off your six senses, and with my help, you managed to escape danger.”

“If it’s really as you say, why would you help me?” Brian Carter was still not quite convinced.

“If I said it was a moment of impulse, would you believe me?”

Brian Carter shook his head. “Of course I don’t believe you. You yourself said you’re Shadow, and Shadow is an assassin—what’s more, a super assassin wanted across the entire universe. The most important thing for an assassin is psychological composure. How could a super assassin act on impulse?”

The man in black lay on the beach, lost in thought. “Actually, I’m not a qualified assassin. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have ended up like this for killing the wrong person.”

Brian Carter sat not far from him, reaching out to grab a handful of sand.

Although this was his own mental space, the sand in his hand felt real, with an authentic texture. Brian Carter could even feel the dampness.

“Who exactly did you kill that was so important? To be wanted across the universe?” Brian Carter was becoming more and more certain of this man’s identity as Shadow. Ordinary people would do anything to avoid a wanted notice, but who would pin one on themselves?

“It’s better if you don’t know about that.” Shadow picked up a small stone and tossed it into the sea.

“Oh, great sea! You are so vast. Oh, sky! You are so blue. Sky and sea, you are always so quiet...”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Brian Carter covered his ears with both hands. “What the heck is that!”

“Is it that bad? That’s a poem I composed with great care,” Shadow blinked and said.

“Pah! It’s not just bad, it’s downright vulgar!” Brian Carter said bluntly. Listening to this was pure mental torture.

“I’m an assassin, but I’m also a poet,” Shadow said proudly.

Uh...

Brian Carter was speechless. “Then I suggest you stick to being an assassin.”

Shadow was unconvinced. “My master always said I was more talented as a poet than as an assassin.”

“Your master was lying to you.”

Suddenly, a tremendous murderous aura filled the world, seeping through Brian Carter’s skin and into his very bones.

“My master never lies,” Shadow said coldly. He seemed to have become a different person; the self-mocking, playful Shadow from before was gone, replaced by a beast ready to pounce.

Brian Carter couldn’t help but shiver. He hadn’t expected Shadow to become so serious at the mention of his master.

“I take back what I just said,” Brian Carter said helplessly. He didn’t want to anger this universe’s top wanted criminal over a joke.

The murderous aura in the air instantly dissipated, and Shadow laughed, his attitude changing so fast it was astonishing.

“So now you admit my poem was crap?”

Brian Carter’s face darkened. “Crap. Total crap.”

“Listen to this next one,” Shadow said excitedly, standing up and pointing at the distant sea, really putting on the air of a literary youth.

“Oh, sea, you have so many fish. Fish, you are so delicious...”

After hearing this peerlessly awful poem, Brian Carter broke out in goosebumps, wishing he could tear his ears off.

“Crap!” Brian Carter clapped his hands. “Absolutely crap.”

“Really that bad?” Shadow asked.

Brian Carter gave a big thumbs up, saying mischievously, “Absolutely. No one in the universe can out-crap you.”

Shadow was instantly energized by Brian Carter’s “praise.” He put his hands on his hips and, facing the setting sun, declared, “I’m feeling inspired today, full of ideas. I’ve decided to compose another poem.”

“No!” Brian Carter said hurriedly. “Inspiration is something you have to use sparingly. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Shadow was puzzled. “Is that so?”

“For some people, yes,” Brian Carter muttered under his breath.

“How about this,” Brian Carter said, his eyes rolling. “Let me recite a poem for you.”

Shadow nodded with great interest, sitting to the side with a look of eager anticipation.

Brian Carter reclined on the beach and cleared his throat.

“Spring flowers and autumn moon, when will they end? How much do we know of the past?”

“Last night the east wind visited the small tower again, the old country is unbearable to look back on in the bright moonlight.”

“The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, only the rosy faces have changed.”

“How much sorrow can one have? It’s like a river of spring water flowing east.”

Shadow’s eyes shone with a bright light. “How much sorrow can one have? It’s like a river of spring water flowing east...”

He recited it over a dozen times, becoming somewhat entranced.

“Sigh, what a pity—a perfectly good assassin, insisting on learning to write poetry,” Brian Carter thought to himself.

“This poem is really... really...” Shadow was so moved he was at a loss for words.

“Of course. This is the accumulation of five thousand years of culture,” Brian Carter said calmly.

“Teach me, teach me another one?” Shadow pleaded eagerly. It was clear this assassin truly loved poetry, almost to the point of obsession.

“Teach you?” Brian Carter pondered for a moment. “It’s not hard for me to teach you, but what do you plan to offer in return?”

Chapter 0005 Shadow